Soil-Net Downloads

In addition to the many other activities and resources available on Soil-Net,
we are pleased to provide links here to a number of related downloadable soil-related
resources which accompany well the other materials on the wider website.

Down to Earth – an Introduction to Soils

‘Down to Earth’ is a 55 page booklet, published in 1984,
providing an excellent overview of soil-related issues. It offers a basic
introduction to soils and describes in non-specialist language what soil
is, how it forms, how and why it is classified and mapped, and how soil
is used and affected by mankind.

Down to Earth was written for the general reader who wishes to discover
more about our most precious natural resource. It will be found useful
by school and college students of geography, geology, biology, environmental
studies, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, soil science and related
courses.

Down to Earth was written first to accompany a travelling exhibition
of the same name, produced by Leicestershire Museums, Art Galleries and
Records Service in conjunction with the Soil Survey of England and Wales.

Further information concerning Down to Earth can be obtained from
the author:
Professor Stephen Nortcliff
Acting Head of School
School of Human and Environmental Sciences,
PO Box 227,
University of Reading,
Reading,
RG6 6AB
United Kingdom

‘Ground Work’ is a 16 page booklet, published in 1984, providing
a series of practical ways to learn about soil. The booklet covers themes
such as: Digging in; Broadening your horizons; Making a good record;
Soil and slopes; Taking the rough with the smooth; Soils are not just
brown; Experimenting with soil chemistry; Water in soil; What lives in
the soil; Common soil mini-beasts; Types of plant and types of soil;
And did those feet?; How will your ‘garden’ grow?; and a
Glossary game.

The
Soil Worksheets offer a 12 page set of soil-related activity sheets for
classroom use together with 10 pages of accompanying teacher notes, (aimed
at Primary Schools (or Grades 1 through 3) but equally appropriate for
older students). Topics covered include: Learning about the site; Finding
out what is growing in the soil and digging a soil pit; Looking at a
soil profile; Looking for minibeasts; Soil colour; and Soil texture – the
feel of the soil; Water in the soil. The materials are sourced from the British
Society of Soil Science (BSSS).

Finally, here is a fantastic movie from the 1950s called 'The Making of
Soil', filmed and directed by J.V.Durden and made by the Crown Film Unit.
An interesting perspective on how the importance of soil has long been
recognised. The film lasts about 35 minutes and covers many aspects of
soil science, including: the raw materials of soil; the weathering of rocks;
the influence of forest trees on soil formation; climatic and biological
factors affecting the soil. This movie is presented on Soil-Net with the
permission of the British
Society of Soil Science (BSSS).

Making Parmesan Cheese

This video is about the making of Parmesan Cheese and follows the process of creating the traditional Parmigiano Reggiano at the Azienda agricola Il Calernese in Regione Emilia-Romagna in Italy. The video is prepared as a contribution to the UN International Year of Soil http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/en/.

The story emphasises the importance of the rich local soils in supporting the traditions of cheesemaking. To learn more about soil, visit Soil-Net http://www.soil-net.com.